RATIONALE: A coloanal anastomosis may be effective in restoring bowel function after radiation therapy and surgery to remove the rectum. It is not yet known whether a J-pouch coloanal anastomosis is more effective than a side-to-end coloanal anastomosis in restoring bowel function in patients with rectal adenocarcinoma who have undergone radiation therapy and surgery to remove the rectum. PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying how well J-pouch coloanal anastomosis works compared to side-to-end coloanal anastomosis in treating patients with rectal adenocarcinoma who have undergone radiation therapy and surgery to remove the rectum.
Jun 30,2002
All
18 Years
N/A
18 Years
N/A
100
